How About You ...

Ellie is a hopeful, well-meaning caregiver who arrives at Woodlane seeking a fresh start. She struggles at first with the residents’ independence and the rules, but quickly forms a bond with Alice. Her willingness to bend rules for compassion shows both her strength and its consequences. By the end, she grows in balancing duty with empathy and decides to spend time with her family after the holiday.

Kate is Ellie’s sister, protective and practical. She arranges for Ellie to stay with the residents during the Christmas period while she tends to their mother. She is concerned with safety and protocol but supports Ellie’s desire to connect with the residents. Her conflicting duties highlight the responsibilities of family and professional care.

Alice is a resident who forms a close bond with Ellie. Her pain and fragility drive Ellie to act with urgency, even if it means bending orders. The river trip and relief she seeks underscore the vulnerability of residents. Her subsequent death becomes a pivotal moment for Ellie’s understanding of consequence and care.

Donald is a recovering alcoholic and former judge who fills his nights with piano and sharp routines. He insists on a 6am breakfast in his room and resists perceived slights, revealing a crusty exterior. He shares memories of his late wife and the song he plays for her, hinting at regret and unspoken grief beneath his composure.

Heather is one of the Nightingale sisters who masks her insecurity behind a strong, controlling demeanor. She uses deception to shield Hazel, posing as Hazel when communicating with their past to protect her sister. Her fear of losing Hazel drives a quiet, protective, and ultimately reconciliatory path.

Hazel is the other Nightingale sister, a talented artist who prefers to be left undisturbed. She is wary of stepping outside but possesses a rich inner world expressed through paintings. Her bond with Heather and her hidden history with her son Simon adds depth to the sisters’ dynamic and highlights resilience through art.

Georgia is a former actress and singer who embodies living in the moment. She seeks attention and social connection, often entertaining the residents and visiting the pub. After her husband’s death, she returns to a form of performance, finding solace in companionship and the sense that ‘part of the fun’ is reclaiming life together at Woodlane.

Simon is Hazel’s son, whom she had to give up for adoption. He represents a missing piece of Hazel’s past and becomes the object of Heather’s clandestine efforts to connect him back to Hazel. His planned reunion with Hazel anchors the emotional arc around memory and reconciliation.

Mr. Evans is a Department of Health inspector who visits Woodlane to assess how the home operates. He is initially shocked by residents staying over Christmas and the casual family atmosphere, but he gradually engages with the residents during the Christmas dinner, revealing the tension between regulation and genuine care.